Beth Moore, Madison UF/IFAS
Contributor
The Fourth Annual Quad County Chick Chain Show (formally known as the Madison County Chick Chain Show) is officially in the books! Way back in March of this year, plans were being made for the contest to be held in September. Each participant received at least six chicks in March. Over the next six months, 4-H members cared for and raised their chicks. Participants also attended two educational and informative meetings. At the first meeting, youth were taught how to prepare for the new chicks. The second meeting focused on preparing and showing the birds.
The 2022 Chick Chain Show was held on Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Ag Center in Madison. A record 32 4-H members from Taylor, Lafayette, Suwannee and Madison Counties brought their best birds for the judges. There was a grand total of 50 hens in the contest, the largest number in show history. The judge was looking for the best potential laying hens and the showmanship judge was searching for the 4-Her that had the most knowledge about their bird.
This year a Skill-A-Thon was added to the competition. Participants were asked to identify various breeds, identify comb types, label the parts of a hen and explain a brooder set up. All things they should have learned through the project year. The following are the final placing for this year’s contest:
Five to seven-year-old Cloverbuds:
First-place, Samuel Agner (Madison County)
Second-place, Hallie Tharpe (Taylor County)
Third-place, Caroline Beech (Lafayette County)
Eight to 10-year-old Juniors:
First-place, Derby Sherrell (Lafayette County)
Second-place, Sophie Foster (Taylor County)
Third-place, Stella Dickey (Madison County)
Eleven to 16-year-old Intermediate and Seniors:
First-place, Macy Lundy (Taylor County)
Second-place, Will Melvin (Madison County)
Third-place, Gracelyn Phillips (Madison County)
Showmanship winners:
First-place, Olivia Escobar (Madison County)
Second-place, Colton Kinsey (Madison County)
Skill-a-Thon:
First-place, Olivia Escobar (Madison County)
Overall Grand Champion, Derby Sherrell (Lafayette County)
Reserve Grand Champion, Macy Lundy (Taylor County)